Natasha N. Mackey, a distance learning coordinator at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, is running for City Council in Ward 1.

Many know her as “The Jewelry Lady,” and some might recognize the work she’s done to help clean up the city. Most recently, Natasha N. Mackey put her singing and acting talents to work in the musical, “Hairspray,” at Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell.

The multi-talented and energetic Mackey, who also works full-time at ENMU-R, decided to run for City Council this year, against incumbent Dusty Huckabee in Ward 1.

[auth] “I want to be the fresh voice for Ward 1,” Mackey said.

Chatting during lunch Thursday, Mackey’s enthusiasm was evident. She took time to explain why she decided to run for local office, even though she was celebrating her birthday.

“I think it’s another way I can honor God and serve my community,” Mackey said. “I prayed about it and felt it was something I could go for, and I could do.”

Mackey has spent the past eight years as a distance learning coordinator at the college, helping students test for general education development (GED). She is also a published author of “Walking in Kingdom Authority,” a self-help Christian book used for group bible study.

Mackey said she discussed her decision to run for City Council at length with her cousin, Hobbs County Commissioner Crystal Mullins.

Mackey’s first goal would be to improve safety in the community, she said.

“It’s what’s causing our crime rate to be so atrocious compared to other cities in our state and in our nation,” she said.

She would also like to pursue improving the aesthetics in the community and bring in new businesses and find ways to sustain economic growth for the ones that are here.

“I think that can be done through working with improving communication with the Economic Development Corporation, the Roswell Business Alliance and the Chamber of Commerce — so we don’t duplicate efforts, but create a synergy of effort that produces results,” Mackey said.

The small-business owner has lived in New Mexico for the past 20 years. She graduated from Carlsbad High School and was “very academically involved,” she said.

She earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico.

Mackey is on the board of directors and serves as secretary for Keep Roswell Beautiful.

“A lot of our initiatives are surrounding cleaning up our community, recycling and going ‘green,’” she said. “Roswell is an All-American city and we want to continue being an All-American city.”

Mackey has spent her time walking the neighborhoods of Ward 1, she said.

“I’ve met such fabulous people. People of faith who’ve prayed with me and for me. People who are excited about a new voice and new perspective for Ward 1,” she said.

The biggest concern she’s heard is about crime. The constituents are asking for sidewalks in certain areas, replaced streetlights so they feel safe in the evening hours. They’re also concerned the excess of home burglaries and vandalism, she said.

“I really want to be in touch with the constituents of Ward 1. I want to hear what their concerns are and bring those to the council, and in turn make decisions that positively affect the constituents in a way that they would like to be affected,” she said.